Northern Edition
Select Edition
Northern Northern
Southern Southern
Global Global
New Zealand New Zealand
France France

WXV 2: Scotland’s title defence ends in defeat to Australia

By PA
CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA - OCTOBER 12: Australia players celebrate after the team's victory as WXV 2 champions during the WXV 2 2024 match between Australia v Scotland at Athlone Sports Stadium on October 12, 2024 in Cape Town, South Africa. (Photo by Johan Rynners - World Rugby/World Rugby via Getty Images)

Scotland’s defence of their WXV 2 title ended in heartbreak after a 31-22 defeat to Australia in a winner-takes-all showdown in Cape Town.

ADVERTISEMENT

Both sides went into their final match at the Athlone Sports Stadium with two wins under their belt, but Scotland ended the game with 13 players and Australia came out on top.

Irrespective of the result, Australia and Scotland both confirmed their places at Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 at the full-time whistle.

Video Spacer

‘This Energy Never Stops’ – One year to go until the Women’s Rugby World Cup

Video Player is loading.
Current Time 0:00
Duration 1:00
Loaded: 33.07%
Stream Type LIVE
Remaining Time 1:00
 
1x
    • Chapters
    • descriptions off, selected
    • captions off, selected
    • en (Main), selected
    Video Spacer

    ‘This Energy Never Stops’ – One year to go until the Women’s Rugby World Cup

    With exactly one year to go until Women’s Rugby World Cup England 2025 kicks off
    in Sunderland, excitement is sweeping across the host nation in anticipation of what
    will be the biggest and most accessible celebration of women’s rugby ever.

    Register now for the ticket presale

    They joined Wales and Italy, who overcame South Africa 23-19 earlier on Saturday, in booking their tickets for next year’s showpiece tournament in England from WXV 2.

    Australia raced into a 21 -0 lead in the first 23 minutes with tries from Desiree Miller, Maya Stewart and Cecilia Smith, all converted by fly-half Faitala Moleka.

    Scotland hit back after Australia centre Siokapesi Palu was given a yellow card for a high tackle and tries from prop Leah Bartlett and full-back Chloe Rollie, the former’s converted by Helen Nelson, reduced the deficit to 21-12 at the break.

    Fixture
    WXV 2
    Australia Women
    31 - 22
    Full-time
    Scotland Women
    All Stats and Data

    The gap was cut to 21-17 early in the second period when Scotland prop Anne Young burrowed over for an unconverted try.

    ADVERTISEMENT

    Scotland’s momentum was then checked by centre Emma Orr’s yellow card for a high tackle, later upgraded to a red, before wing Francesca McGhee’s try put them 22-21 ahead with 10 minutes left.

    But after McGhee was shown a yellow card for a deliberate knock-on, Australia regained the lead through Moleka’s 74th-minute penalty and the Wallaroos sealed victory with Ashley Marsters’ late converted try.

    ADVERTISEMENT

    South Africa v Argentina | World Rugby U20 Championship | Extended Highlights

    France v New Zealand | World Rugby U20 Championship | Extended Highlights

    England v Wales | World Rugby U20 Championship | Extended Highlights

    Tattoos & Rugby: Why are tattoos so popular with sportspeople? | Amber Schonert | Rugby Rising Locker Room Season 2

    Lions Share | Episode 3

    Zimbabwe vs Kenya | Rugby Africa Cup Semi Final | Full Match Replay

    USA vs Spain | Men's International | Full Match Replay

    Portugal vs Ireland | Men's International | Full Match Replay

    Trending on RugbyPass

    Comments

    0 Comments
    Be the first to comment...

    Join free and tell us what you really think!

    Sign up for free
    ADVERTISEMENT

    Latest Features

    Comments on RugbyPass

    TRENDING
    TRENDING 'Hopefully we got him off in time': Andy Farrell's worrying Joe McCarthy update 'Got him off just in time': Andy Farrell offers update on Joe McCarthy